(137c) Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis Using a Pilot Scale Fixed Bed Compact Heat Exchange Reactor

The Fischer-Tropsch reaction is a highly exothermic reaction (157 kJ/mol CO converted) used to convert syngas (a mixture of CO and H₂) to liquid hydrocarbons. Conventional fixed bed reactor technology suffers from heat transfer limitations. Operating conditions must be limited to prevent reactor runaway, resulting in lower productivity per unit reactor volume. Non-isothermal operating conditions make the process more difficult to start up and control and can lead to increased catalyst deactivation and unwanted methane side-product formation.

          A Compact Heat Exchange Reactor (CHER) combines a reactor and compact heat exchanger into a single device, and provides a solution to the heat transfer limitations commonly observed for conventional fixed bed reactors. A pilot scale CHER was designed and constructed by Chart Energy & Chemicals in La Crosse WI, for the purpose of synthesis of diesel fuel via the Fischer-Tropsch (FT) reaction from syngas. Results are presented for a pilot scale CHER reactor for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis for >1 bpd liquid fuel production that is larger than our previously presented CHER results.